Create Amazing 360 Degree Digitizer Scans from Objects

BROOKLYN, N.Y.--MakerBot is excited to announce the MakerBot® MakerWare™ 2.4 release that includes MakerBot® MultiScan™ Technology for the MakerBot® Digitizer™ Desktop 3D Scanner. MakerBot MusltiScan can help you change the way you create 3D models. MakerBot MakerWare 2.4 is available today for download from makerbot.com/makerware.

MakerBot MultiScan was developed to scan objects from multiple angles, creating the best possible 3D model. MakerBot MultiScan allows you to use your MakerBot Digitizer to capture the top, bottom, and even hidden parts of an object.

"MultiScan Technology for the MakerBot Digitizer makes the technology even more powerful," noted Bre Pettis, CEO of MakerBot. "MultiScan capabilities take an ordinary scan and turn it into something extra ordinary. You can capture a 360-degree scan of a model, then 3D print it on a MakerBot Replicator 2 Desktop 3D Printer. This is so cool, you will want to Digitize everything in your life."

MultiScan improves scan coverage by allowing you to "merge" two or more scans of an object, each taken from a different position. You can scan an object vertically and horizontally, or from any angle that the object can be positioned on the turntable. Capture more data from objects with complex geometry. For example, you can grab more detail off this figurine by scanning it several times in different positions. Turn it upside down, on its side, or at an angle, and scan it multiple times. MakerBot MultiScan will then connect the files and create one unified 3D model file.

MakerBot MultiScan opens up new categories of objects to scan, particularly ones that would have come out less detailed if they had only been scanned once from one position.

An item such as an angel with large wings was often hard to scan when scanned upright, as the wings block much of the detail on the back. But when scanned four times in different positions, the laser is able to see different details and scan sections of the object to create a more robust 3D model. In general, using MultiScan two or three times does a good job at collecting all of the data from different angles.

"A great story of how MultiScan makes 3D scanning even more awesome comes from a member of our MakerBot team," said Bre Pettis. "One of our engineer's had a favorite radio-controlled car that was missing a wheel, and he couldn't find a replacement. To fix it, he removed one of the wheels and prepared it to be scanned on the MakerBot Digitizer. Using MultiScan, he scanned the wheel, resulting in a great 3D model of the wheel. He then printed it on his MakerBot® Replicator® 2 Desktop 3D Printer with MakerBot PLA Filament. After a few minutes of prep work to make sure the new tire fit the axel, his radio-controlled car was ready to roll."

Here's the full feature list:

1. Added MultiScan Technology to MakerWare for Digitizer
2. Added lighting acclimation which reduces halos from overhead lighting at the beginning of a scan, resulting in higher quality 3D models
3. Added performance tracking to MakerWare
4. Implemented new filament fan modulation on the MakerBot Replicator 2 to reduce PLA and Flexible Filament stringing
5. Added ability to combine overlapping object meshes
6. Created a more stable Extrusion Guard pattern
7. Bug fix for temperature settings in the Make dialog only getting applied to the preheat temperature
8. Bug fix for MakerWare crashing when custom profiles are created on 32-bit Windows systems

To download MakerBot MakerWare 2.4, visit makerbot.com/makerware.

About MakerBot

MakerBot, a subsidiary of Stratasys, Ltd., is leading the Next Industrial Revolution by setting the standards in reliable and affordable desktop 3D printing. Founded in 2009, MakerBot has built the largest installed base of desktop 3D printers sold to innovative and industry-leading customers worldwide, including engineers, architects, designers, educators and consumers. The MakerBot 3D Ecosystem drives accessibility and rapid adoption of 3D printing and includes: Thingiverse.com, the MakerBot Digitizer Desktop 3D Scanner, the MakerBot Replicator line of Desktop 3D Printers, MakerWare software, MakerCare, the MakerBot retail store, and strategic partnerships with top-tier brands. MakerBot has been honored with many accolades, including Popular Mechanics' "Overall Winner" for best 3D printer, Time Magazine's "Best Inventions of 2012," Popular Mechanics' "Editor's Choice Award," Popular Science's "Product of the Year," Fast Company's "One of the World's Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Consumer Electronics," and many more. Join the Next Industrial Revolution by following MakerBot at makerbot.com.

About Stratasys

Stratasys Ltd. (Nasdaq: SSYS), headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. and Rehovot, Israel, manufactures 3D printers and materials for prototyping and production. The company's patented FDM® and PolyJet® processes produce prototypes and manufactured goods directly from 3D CAD files or other 3D content. Systems include 3D printers for idea development, prototyping and direct digital manufacturing. Stratasys subsidiaries include MakerBot and Solidscape and the company operates the RedEye digital-manufacturing service. Stratasys has more than 1500 employees, holds over 500 granted or pending additive manufacturing patents globally, and has received more than 20 awards for its technology and leadership. Online at: stratasys.com or blog.stratasys.com.